Lacking in one inspiring message, yet brilliant concern-raising.
Overall, the movie was of average quality, neither too impressive nor
disappointing. It shows enough twists to raise audiences’ curiousness about “WikiLeaks”
and its founder Julian Assange. It successfully wraps up the new era of information-communication when the truths can be unveiled by anyone in the community if their identity
can be hidden for self-protection reason.
“If You Give Him a Mask, He Will Tell the Truth”
“The Fifth Estate” (2013) has put forth a massive scale of US government’s communication
crisis, hence highly emphasize the ability of individuals to “seek it out for
yourself” (the truth). “The fourth estate” (the press) has stepped back to make
room for “the fifth estate”: Anything such as “a little website” may shrink an
empire down to mud.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch was one top decision made by “The Fifth
Estate” producer. Because apart from him and the “real-life”
materials of “WikiLeaks”, hardly any inspiring message was delivered to the
audience. Cumberbatch – stunning white hair and excellent performance – took all
the spotlight. In my viewpoint, putting concentration on Julius Assange (Benedict
Cumberbatch) instead of on the tragedies (human rights abuse) exposed on “Wikileaks”
probably was not one wise move. Because, the fact that Julius Assange ended up
in hardships has disinspired the truth-seeker.
Despite lacking in an inspiring message, the movie was able to raise one
important concern: “Whether to expose or not?”. First, truth-seeker should question
themselves on the cost of revealing the hidden secrets that they may suffered from.
Friends, freedom, a normal life, etc. could be price of truth. Second, is it
better for that truth to be hidden?
“He’s not a journalist. He’s a threat to national security”
Adore Yourself 